Desk attachment
United States Patent 3915528
An L-shaped plastic article which, in practice, fits along a desk edge, and which has the longer panel or leg thereof extending onto the desk writing surface. When, as is commonly done, the party working at the desk assumes a relaxed position with his legs crossed and his feet supported in elevated position on the desk, advantageous use is then made of the panel on the writing surface as the location for the user's feet, said panel preventing marring and soiling of the desk's surface.
US Patent References:
Desk pad clip
Rippel - April 1937 - 2076094
Covered article
Webb - August 1951 - 2564386
Scuff plate for furniture
Pettibone - July 1952 - 2603909
Covering for desk top and the like
Oakes - September 1959 - 2901861
Corner protector for furniture and the like
Bright - August 1961 - 2995863
Desk pad clip
Rippel - April 1937 - 2076094
Covered article
Webb - August 1951 - 2564386
Scuff plate for furniture
Pettibone - July 1952 - 2603909
Covering for desk top and the like
Oakes - September 1959 - 2901861
Corner protector for furniture and the like
Bright - August 1961 - 2995863
Application Number:
05/526809
Publication Date:
10/28/1975
Filing Date:
11/25/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
108/90, 428/40.100, 248/345.100, 428/121, 428/192
International Classes:
A47B13/08; A47B17/00; A47B13/08; A47B95/00
Field of Search:
312/229,277 108/161,27,90 248/345.1
US Patent References:
| 3041775 | Table corner guard | July 1962 | Brown et al. |
Primary Examiner:
Gilliam, Paul R.
Assistant Examiner:
Sakran, Victor N.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Bauer & Amer
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. In combination, a desk having a body presenting a writing surface within the confines of peripheral edges bounding said desk body, and an attachment for said desk for allocating a portion of said writing surface to use as a footrest without marring said writing surface, said attachment comprising a rectangular clear plastic panel with opposite top and bottom flat surfaces having an operative position on said desk with said bottom flat surface thereof in contact with said writing surface at a location between opposite corners of said desk body and along a front peripheral edge thereof so as to be convenient for placement by the user of his feet on top of said top flat surface thereof, an adhesive coat on said bottom flat surface for achieving an adhesive connection of said surface to said desk body, and a lip extending in depending relation from an edge of said panel having an operative position in holding contact against said front peripheral edge of said desk body, said rectangular panel being of a size adequate to occupy an interposed position between the feet of the user, in crossed relation, and said desk writing surface and wherein said lip minimizes inadvertent movement of said panel inwardly of said desk writing surface and thus out of its proper supporting position beneath the user's feet.
1. In combination, a desk having a body presenting a writing surface within the confines of peripheral edges bounding said desk body, and an attachment for said desk for allocating a portion of said writing surface to use as a footrest without marring said writing surface, said attachment comprising a rectangular clear plastic panel with opposite top and bottom flat surfaces having an operative position on said desk with said bottom flat surface thereof in contact with said writing surface at a location between opposite corners of said desk body and along a front peripheral edge thereof so as to be convenient for placement by the user of his feet on top of said top flat surface thereof, an adhesive coat on said bottom flat surface for achieving an adhesive connection of said surface to said desk body, and a lip extending in depending relation from an edge of said panel having an operative position in holding contact against said front peripheral edge of said desk body, said rectangular panel being of a size adequate to occupy an interposed position between the feet of the user, in crossed relation, and said desk writing surface and wherein said lip minimizes inadvertent movement of said panel inwardly of said desk writing surface and thus out of its proper supporting position beneath the user's feet.
Description:
The present invention relates to an article useful as an attachment to a desk, the same, more particularly, being effective to prevent marring and soiling of the desk top.
Underlying the present invention is the recognition that those who work at desks often break the tedium of their work with a relaxed position in which their legs are crossed and are supported in an elevated position on the desk, and that adequate provision should, and can be made to allow for this relaxed position without marring or soiling of the desk top. Presently, the desk top is used as a foot support in the situation indicated, and during normal usage as a work area, with no effort made to prevent the former use from adversely affecting the latter use.
Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic attachment for a desk that is readily installed thereon to protect the desk surface, and as a result overcoming the aforementioned and other shortcomings of the prior art. Specifically, it is an object to provide a desk top cover selectively positionable along the desk edge that can advantageously be used as a footrest or support.
A desk attachment for protecting the desk top against marring or the like when the user places or rests his feet on the desk, and which demonstrates objects and advantages of the present invention includes a panel with opposite flat surfaces having an operative position on said desk with one said flat surface thereof in contact with said writing surface at a location convenient for placement by the user of his feet on top of said other flat surface thereof, and a lip extending in depending relation from an edge of said panel having an operative position in holding contact against said peripheral edge of said desk body, whereby said lip minimizes inadvertent movement of said panel inwardly of said desk writing surface and thus out of its proper supporting position beneath the user's feet.
The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the contemplated use of the desk attachment hereof;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the attachment, in an upside down position, to better illustrate the adhesive surface thereof for connecting it to the top of the desk.
Shown in the drawings is a plastic article of manufacture, generally designated 10, which, according to the present invention, is used as a support beneath the crossed legs or feet 12, 14 of the user to prevent the user, when assuming this common relaxed position, from marring the writing surface 16 of the desk 18.
Structurewise, the plastic unit 10, in a preferred form as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, includes a rectangular shaped panel 20, approximately 71/2 by 31/2 inches. This size in the panel 20 has been found in practice to be adequate as an underlying support for the crossed legs of the user. In practice, the user's feet 12, 14 are placed in contact with the exposed flat surface 22 of panel 20, while the other flat surface 24 thereof is in contact with the desk top. Advantageously, surface 24 has an adhesive coating 26 applied to it which is exposed for use upon removal of a backing sheet 28. The adhesive coating 26 provides an adhesive connection for the desk attachment 10 at the interface of the surface 26 with the portion of the writing surface 16 beneath this surface.
Despite this adhesive connection, or if the attachment 10 is used without an adhesive coating 26, there may be undesirable movement of panel 20 inwardly of the writing surface 16 as a result of the user changing from, and back into, the relaxed position illustrated in phantom perspective in FIG. 1. Thus, to prevent this undesirable movement in panel 20, said panel is provided with a depending lip 30 formed integral along one edge of the panel, said lip having an operative position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, in which it extends along and in holding contact against the desk surface or edge 32 which defines one side of the writing surface 16. Preferably, lip 30 is only an inch and a quarter wide so that it does not interfere with the use of the desk 18, such as the opening and closing of the desk drawer 34. Also, it is most desirable to use a clear plastic as the fabrication material of the desk attachment 10 so as to minimize its presence in its aforementioned operative position on the desk.
From the foregoing it should be readily appreciated that there has been described herein a novel article of manufacture having significant utility as a convenience product for executives and others normally working at a desk. The convenience it contributes to, as described herein, is to facilitate, as is commonly done, a relaxed position for said executives in which their feet are crossed and placed at an elevated position supported on the top of the desk. Preparatory to assuming this position, device 10 is placed in its FIG. 1 operative position which is along one of the desk edges which bound the desk surface or writing area 16. From this location, the device 10 is of course within convenient reach of the user seated behind the desk. Since the panel 20 occupies an interposed position between the user's feet and the writing surface 16, it effectively prevents marring or soiling of the surface 16. Naturally, when the entire desk writing surface must be used, device 10 is readily removed from its operative position and any portion of the adhesive which inadvertently remains on the surface 16 is wiped therefrom.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.
Underlying the present invention is the recognition that those who work at desks often break the tedium of their work with a relaxed position in which their legs are crossed and are supported in an elevated position on the desk, and that adequate provision should, and can be made to allow for this relaxed position without marring or soiling of the desk top. Presently, the desk top is used as a foot support in the situation indicated, and during normal usage as a work area, with no effort made to prevent the former use from adversely affecting the latter use.
Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic attachment for a desk that is readily installed thereon to protect the desk surface, and as a result overcoming the aforementioned and other shortcomings of the prior art. Specifically, it is an object to provide a desk top cover selectively positionable along the desk edge that can advantageously be used as a footrest or support.
A desk attachment for protecting the desk top against marring or the like when the user places or rests his feet on the desk, and which demonstrates objects and advantages of the present invention includes a panel with opposite flat surfaces having an operative position on said desk with one said flat surface thereof in contact with said writing surface at a location convenient for placement by the user of his feet on top of said other flat surface thereof, and a lip extending in depending relation from an edge of said panel having an operative position in holding contact against said peripheral edge of said desk body, whereby said lip minimizes inadvertent movement of said panel inwardly of said desk writing surface and thus out of its proper supporting position beneath the user's feet.
The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the contemplated use of the desk attachment hereof;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the attachment, in an upside down position, to better illustrate the adhesive surface thereof for connecting it to the top of the desk.
Shown in the drawings is a plastic article of manufacture, generally designated 10, which, according to the present invention, is used as a support beneath the crossed legs or feet 12, 14 of the user to prevent the user, when assuming this common relaxed position, from marring the writing surface 16 of the desk 18.
Structurewise, the plastic unit 10, in a preferred form as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, includes a rectangular shaped panel 20, approximately 71/2 by 31/2 inches. This size in the panel 20 has been found in practice to be adequate as an underlying support for the crossed legs of the user. In practice, the user's feet 12, 14 are placed in contact with the exposed flat surface 22 of panel 20, while the other flat surface 24 thereof is in contact with the desk top. Advantageously, surface 24 has an adhesive coating 26 applied to it which is exposed for use upon removal of a backing sheet 28. The adhesive coating 26 provides an adhesive connection for the desk attachment 10 at the interface of the surface 26 with the portion of the writing surface 16 beneath this surface.
Despite this adhesive connection, or if the attachment 10 is used without an adhesive coating 26, there may be undesirable movement of panel 20 inwardly of the writing surface 16 as a result of the user changing from, and back into, the relaxed position illustrated in phantom perspective in FIG. 1. Thus, to prevent this undesirable movement in panel 20, said panel is provided with a depending lip 30 formed integral along one edge of the panel, said lip having an operative position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, in which it extends along and in holding contact against the desk surface or edge 32 which defines one side of the writing surface 16. Preferably, lip 30 is only an inch and a quarter wide so that it does not interfere with the use of the desk 18, such as the opening and closing of the desk drawer 34. Also, it is most desirable to use a clear plastic as the fabrication material of the desk attachment 10 so as to minimize its presence in its aforementioned operative position on the desk.
From the foregoing it should be readily appreciated that there has been described herein a novel article of manufacture having significant utility as a convenience product for executives and others normally working at a desk. The convenience it contributes to, as described herein, is to facilitate, as is commonly done, a relaxed position for said executives in which their feet are crossed and placed at an elevated position supported on the top of the desk. Preparatory to assuming this position, device 10 is placed in its FIG. 1 operative position which is along one of the desk edges which bound the desk surface or writing area 16. From this location, the device 10 is of course within convenient reach of the user seated behind the desk. Since the panel 20 occupies an interposed position between the user's feet and the writing surface 16, it effectively prevents marring or soiling of the surface 16. Naturally, when the entire desk writing surface must be used, device 10 is readily removed from its operative position and any portion of the adhesive which inadvertently remains on the surface 16 is wiped therefrom.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.